The positive power of sustainability

John Dagevos (Telos)

Bologna, 20h of June 2007

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Contents of the presentation

Sustainable development in a historical perspective

Broadening the perspective on sustainable development

The Telos approach

The importance of interaction: stakeholder input

Sustainability is not a static concept

There is no sustainable development without friction

Unorthodox versus compartmentalisation

The evaluation of the GROW programme using the Telos model

Broadening the perspective on sustainable development

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Sustainable development in a historical perspective

Many definitions, a disputed concept

Sustainable development has been an important issue through the history

of mankind

Distinction between a narrow (fysiocentric) and a broad perspective

(anthropocentric) approach:

- anthropocentric: the human needs are the starting point. The

protection and the preservation of the environment is considered as a

necessary contribution to human welfare

- fysiocentric: the protection and preservation of the environment

is the starting point without considering human needs

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Meadows “Limits of growth” offers as well:

A warning: the limits

A ‘way out’: a development perspective

Ecological modernisation: a development-oriented approach in which the

ecologisation of the economy goes hand in hand with the economisation

of the ecology

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The phases of modernisation

economic modernisation19th CT

socio-cultural modernisation20th CT

ecological modernisation21st CT

SD concerns third more inclusive and self-reflexive phase

of modernisation

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Broadening the perspective on sustainable development

Brundtland (1987) broadens the perspective

Sustainable development demands balance at at least three levels:

Between the ecological (planet), the social-cultural (people) and the economic (profit) development

In time: intergenerational solidarity

In space: spatial solidarity

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The Telos approach

Follows Brundtland’s broad perspective

Sustainable development is a development process aimed at

balanced growth:

The resilience and quality of nature (ecological capital or Planet)

The physical and spiritual health of people (socio-cultural capital or People)

Healthy economic development (economic capital or Profit)

All capitals are of equal importance: therefore we use an equilateral

triangle as a trademark

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A model consisting of capitals, stocks, requirements, indicators and norms

The Telos triangleEcological capital

Socio-cultural capital Economic capital

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Ecological capital

Socio-cultural capital Economic capital

Coincidence?

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Stocks

Ecological capital

Nature

Soil

Groundwater

Surface Water

Air

Landscape

Minerals

Socio-cultural capital

Citizenship

Solidarity

Security

Housing & Living Cond.

Health

Education

Identity & Diversity

Art and Cultural heritage

Economic capital

Labour

Capital Goods

Spatial conditions

Economic Structure

Knowledge

Raw materials

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Capital Stock Indicator

stock

stock

stock

indicator

capital

indicator

indicator

Requirements

Theory

ecological air clean air % fine dust

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Requirements: based on interaction with society

indicate the long term goals

show what is relevant

are based on scientific research and policy documents

reflect the ideas of the stakeholders and citizens and are based on

exhaustive discussions with society via interviews, meetings,

citizen panels etc.

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Some ingredients for sustainable thinking

Sustainability is not a static concept.

Renewal and adaptation is constantly needed

Constant interaction is needed between governmental authorities at different levels, business community, non governmental organisations and social movements

No sustainable development without friction;

Between different interests

Between old and new thinking (fixed rules, routines, within the strict sectoral and spatial boundaries, narrowly defined administrative frameworks)

It needs integral thinking

It asks for enthusiasm, creativity, unorthodox solutions, positive thinking

The role of culture and creativity as a driving force

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The evaluation of the GROW programme using the Telos modelsome conclusions

GROW as a whole has the strongest focus on the profit pillar, people and

certainly planet issues are of less relevance. Therefore the programme is not

totally in balance

GROW is first and above all a knowledge focussed programme: development of

new knowledge, learning of experiences elsewhere, transfer of knowledge etc.

Some sustainability issues hardly play a role or are considered to be relevant

(safety, identity and diversity, spatial conditions, most planet issues)

Effects of the activities are expected to work out in a positive way, directly and

indirectly. There are hardly any negative effects or trade offs between the pillars

to be expected

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The Telos Triangle for GROW

0,00

1,00

2,00

3,00

4,00

5,00

Planet

ProfitPeople

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The results for the GROW programme(relevance)

Planet

0,00

1,00

2,00

3,00

4,00

5,00

Nature

Soil

Air

Surface WaterGroundwater

Minerals

Landscape

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Profit

0,00

1,00

2,00

3,00

4,00

5,00

Labour

Capital (goods)

Knowledge

Spatial location conditions

Economic structure

Raw and auxiliary materials

People

0,00

1,00

2,00

3,00

4,00

5,00

Solidarity

Citizenship

Health

Education

Living conditions

Safety

Identity and diversity

Art and cultural heritage

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Top six of most relevant sustainability issues in the Grow programme

Rank Stock

1 Knowledge

2 Capital Goods

3 Labour

4 Economic Structure

5 Solidarity

6 Auxiliary and raw

materials

6 Education

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Expected direct and indirect effectsfor the GROW programme as a whole

Hardly any negative effects

More indirect than direct effects

Profit and People pillar benefit the most, Planet pillar far less

Top six of most important effects

Knowledge

Labour

Capital goods

Economic structure, auxiliary and raw materials, education

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Overall conclusions (2)

There are clear differences between the three subprogrammes

- Green Growth is the most in balance

- Inclusive Growth: bi-pillar, focus on people and profit

- Business Growth: one pillar, almost exclusive focus on profit

issues

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The overall picture